“The key to these tournaments will be not getting overwhelmed,” said Rapala pro Terry Bolton of Benton, Kentucky, a 13-time FLW Cup qualifier. “Lake Cumberland is a big lake and it’s easy to feel a little bit lost. When I’ve had the most success there, it has usually been because I pick one area and stay with it. Those creeks are so big, and there is so much water to fish that if you try to fish too fast you’ll burn up a lot of fishing time just running around.”

Bolton said that if he were fishing the event that he’d be targeting flooded cover with ¾-ounce and ½-ounce spinnerbaits or throwing swimbaits on points for prespawn smallmouth.

“Judging by the time of year and water temps, I think both species (largemouth and smallmouth) will be in play,” Bolton said. “It won’t be a problem to catch 13 or 14 pounds. The key will be finding the 4-pound-type class of fish and catching 17 or 18 pounds to separate from the field.

“I think to win each of these events, a team is going to have to weigh in 17 to 17½ pounds,” Bolton went on to say.

The college anglers will kick off competition on Friday, April 12, at 7 a.m. EDT at General Burnside Island State Park, located at 8801 S. Highway 27 in Burnside. The weigh-in will be held at the State Park on Friday at 3 p.m. The high school anglers will then compete on Saturday, April 13, launching at 7 a.m. from the State Park and weighing in at 3 p.m. All takeoffs and weigh-ins are free to attend and open to the public, and will be streamed live online at FLWFishing.com.

YETI FLW College Fishing teams compete in three regular-season qualifying tournaments in one of five conferences – Central, Northern, Southern, Southeastern and Western. All participants must be registered, full-time students at a college, university or community college and members of a college fishing club that is recognized by their school. The top 10 teams from each division’s three regular-season tournaments and the top 20 teams from the annual FLW College Fishing Open will advance to the 2020 FLW College Fishing National Championship. Additional teams will qualify for the National Championship if the field size in regular-season events exceeds 100 boats. The Potomac River and Marbury, Maryland, will play host to the 2019 FLW College Fishing National Championship, June 4-6, 2019.

The Bass Pro Shops FLW High School Fishing Open tournaments are free, two-person (team) events for students in grades 7-12 and open to any FLW and Student Angler Federation-affiliated high school clubs. The top 10 percent of teams at each Open event along with the TBF High School Fishing state championships will advance to the 2019 High School Fishing National Championship on Pickwick Lake in June. The High School Fishing national champions will each receive a $5,000 college scholarship to the school of their choice.

FLW is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, providing anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money in 2019 across five tournament circuits. Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, with offices in Minneapolis, FLW and their partners conduct more than 290 bass-fishing tournaments annually around the world, including the United States, Canada, China, Italy, South Korea, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa and Spain. FLW tournament fishing can be seen on the Emmy-nominated “FLW" television show while FLW Bass Fishing magazine delivers cutting-edge tips from top pros. For more information visit FLWFishing.com and follow FLW at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) is set to return to central Arkansas next week, Sept. 20-21, with the YETI FLW College Fishing tournament at the Arkansas River presented by Bass Pro Shops and the Bass Pro Shops FLW High School Fishing Open at the Arkansas River. The tournaments, hosted by the North Little Rock Convention and Visitors... READ MORE »

September 11, 2019

Massena Readies For Costa FLW Series at the St. Lawrence River presented by Realtree Fishing

MASSENA, N.Y. – The 2019 Costa Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) Series Northern Division presented by Gajo Baits will continue their season next week at the St. Lawrence River, Sept. 19-21, with the Costa FLW Series at the St. Lawrence River presented by Realtree Fishing. Hosted by the Town of Massena, the three-day tournament will feature more than 240 of the best... READ MORE »

September 10, 2019

Kentucky’s George Rogers Clark High School Wins Bass Pro Shops FLW High School Fishing Lake Erie Open presented by Costa Sunglasses

SANDUSKY, Ohio – The George Rogers Clark High School duo of Allen Powe and Alex Dunaway, both of Winchester, Kentucky, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Saturday weighing 15 pounds, 7 ounces to win the 2019 Bass Pro Shops FLW High School Fishing Lake Erie Open presented by Costa Sunglasses... READ MORE »

SANDUSKY, Ohio – The Youngstown State University duo of Jeffrey Jardine of Niles, Ohio, and Mike Soots of McDonald, Ohio, won the YETI FLW College Fishing event on Lake Erie with a five-bass limit weighing 22 pounds even. The victory earned the Penguins’ bass club $2,000 and a slot in the 2020 FLW College Fishing National Championship... READ MORE »

Harris Chain of Lakes Announced as Location of 2020 YETI FLW College Fishing National Championship

LEESBURG, Fla. – Fishing League Worldwide (FLW), the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, announced today that Florida’s Harris Chain of Lakes will host the 2020 YETI FLW College Fishing National Championship. The tournament, set for Feb. 26-28, will showcase the top collegiate anglers from across the nation... READ MORE »

SANDUSKY, Ohio – Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) is set to visit northern Ohio next week, Sept. 6-7, with the YETI FLW College Fishing tournament at Lake Erie and the Bass Pro Shops FLW High School Fishing Open at Lake Erie presented by Costa. The tournaments, hosted by the City of Sandusky, will showcase some of the top young anglers from across the region... READ MORE »

Potomac River Set for Costa FLW Series Tournament Presented by Lowrance

CHARLES COUNTY, Md. (Aug. 15, 2019) – The Potomac River is set to host some of the top regional bass anglers Aug. 22-24 for the Costa Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) Series Northern Division tournament on the Potomac River presented by Lowrance. The... READ MORE »

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Pro Bryan Thrift of Shelby, North Carolina, brought a five-bass limit to the stage weighing 10 pounds, 13 ounces, Sunday to claim the title of FLW Cup Champion at the FLW Cup on Lake Hamilton. Thrift, with a three-day total of 15 bass for 38 pounds, 7 ounces, won... READ MORE »